Craig Deans signs off from the interim coach position and hands the Jets over to new head coach Gary van Egmond.
Well, what a week – a new coach, a new player and three more points to the Jets tally.
The last three weeks have been some of the toughest and challenging in my career, but they have also been the most rewarding and enjoyable.
It is definitely a different environment to work in as a top grade coach, with the A-League being driven by the win and of course getting those all important points. Those responsible for these points, at the end of the day, are the players out on the field, and of course the head coach who leads the way.
At the end of the match last night, when the crowd dispersed and we all went home, the Newcastle Jets came under the guidance of Gary van Egmond – a wonderful coach who will do great things with the players and the Club.
I believe in our players, each and every one of them, but there is still a lot of work to be done across the whole playing group. With Gary now in place I know that they will improve with each game, and if they stay on course, I know they can make the finals.
With all this said, I am looking forward to being Gary-s assistant as well providing guidance to the Jets Youth league team. Taking what I have learnt from my time as interim coach and applying it to the great young talent that the Club has, is indeed, something I am really looking forward to.
I will do my best to mentor the emerging talent that the Youth team holds, developing their individual talents and building our club from the inside, so hopefully they will soon go on to play in the A-League and wear the Jets colours.
I would like to thank the players, staff and management for all of the support and belief in me, to put their Club in my hands. I would also like to acknowledge the Members and fans of the Jets, they really are the heart to any club, and without their well wishes and encouragement the last three weeks would have been a lot harder.
I found pride in helping steer the team to victory in two of our first three matches and I am eager to see what the rest of the Hyundai A-League season holds for them and the Club.
Craig Deans
